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This is along the same lines of the Flocks Aran Rug, yet it’s much more affordable. Heavy 1/2″ thick cotton rope is hand crocheted into this huge doily rug.

Handmade in the United States.
Measures 48″ in diameter.

Finding a modern media stand is no easy task. I know this personally, of course, and am quite familiar with the many requirements needed to house those precious electronic boxes that magic images up on the tv screen. Dimensions, ventilation, wire management, and above all, how it looks… all these things are important. So, that’s why this console caught my eye. It’s certainly easy on the eyes, with a lovely walnut finish and a low profile, with slats to allow for ventilation (and visual interest). The compartments can be fitted with a drawer or a space specifically for electronics.

Walnut finish.
84″ L x 19.75″ H x 18″ D
Pricing around $3,800.00.

Just in case you need a little scholastic inspiration in the kitchen… fyi, this retail site is in german, but you can go to google translate for guidance when purchasing.

Design: I Saw It First
100% cotton.
48 x H 76 cm

If you’re wondering how this Paperwallet is different from the Mighty Wallet, you’re not alone. It’s made from Tyvek and is recyclable, same as the Mighty, but fits just a tad more credit cards as it’s got has just a few extra pockets. Also, if you’re the solid-color type, there’s some saturated hues that you’ll like. (Mighty Wallet has solids, but they’re a little more on the pastel side.)

2 credit card slots, 2 contact card flaps ,2 easy access pockets & 1 cash compartment. Fits 12+ Credit Cards.
8 x 20 cm (open)

**Also, Paperwallet is offering 10% off any wallet for BLTD readers. Just enter “betterliving” in the coupon code box.

Hey, just a quick note from our sponsor Modernica. They’re having a DIY Design Contest where you can submit your interior before & after pics and have a chance to win a Case Study Shelving Unit. A pretty great prize, right?

See Modernica for more details.

(Photos on left of Kim’s kitchen at desire to inspire.)

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to the new eco-smart AM/FM radio from Elium Studio. Two minutes of hand winding gives you half an hour of listening and it can also be used as an MP3 amplifier. Maize bio-plastic and bamboo covering gives a nice matte finish.

Rechargeable on AC adaptor (not included).
Designed by Elium Studio, Pierre Garner, Elise Berthier, 2010
5.5″ x 3.7″ x 1.8″

Can you take it? Are you man/woman enough to add some strong pink and purple zig zags to your home? Yeah, you might talk the talk, but when it comes to getting some real color and pattern contrast, can you walk the walk?

100% jaipuri cotton
24×24
Also availble, Jodphur Pouf (shown at upper left).

Consider this a designer birdhouse. Made almost completely of plexiglass and assembled without glue, it’s the sort of cage you won’t mind looking at. Pricing starts at 160 €; email designer to order.

Designer: Vadim Kibardin
Material: plexiglas. wooden sticks
Big: D 400 mm x H 700mm
Small: D 400 mm x H 420mm

This smart piece of furniture is made of two low tables that ’embrace’ each other to form a storage unit and/or bench. Originally designed as a modern take on the Isokon Penguin Donkey (which dates back to 1939, as a bookcase for Penguin books).

Designed by John Green.
Available in Oak or Walnut.
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Mother’s Day is fast approaching, folks. If you’re still searching for a gift, you might want to check out the Gift Guide for ideas. It’s there for you to use, after all. As usual, shoot us an email if a link doesn’t work and we’ll do our best to fix it in a timely manner.

Update: We’ve changed our Gift Guide to tags…

Gifts (all)
Gifts $1-$25
Gifts $26-$50
Gifts $51-$75
Gifts $76-$100

Originally spotted in The World of Interiors, this Cahier Rug would definitely give a room a graph paper-ish feel, which I’m guessing most of us would appreciate.

Designed by Alberto Artesani

(Note: If you had this rug, you might have to sip your tea/coffee from a Graph Paper Mug while boxing up a package with some Check Notebook Tape. Oh, and you’d also have to get an Agnes Martin Print.)

At first glance, these two pictures might appear to be of the same table taken in different lighting, but perhaps the more discerning can pick out a few tiny details that sets one apart from the other. There’s not much, mind you, but there is a difference, most noticeably in the price.

Can you guess which one is $900 and which is $300?

Answer and info on both below.
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Organize all your fresh herbs together in one spot, with scissors at the ready to cut however much you need.

Material: Melamine
Dimensions: 15.4″ x 6.9″h x 4.5

We’ve been fans of Iannone Design for quite some time now, so it’s no surprise that this low storage unit would eventually have its turn in the spotlight. Just under 2 feet, it’s low enough to fit a good sized flat screen above or on it without sacrificing a reasonable viewing height, and the cork doors and plywood core edges add just the right amount of natural elements to balance out the tech.

Two compartments (each with an adjustable shelf) and wire/vent holes in the maple back.

Designer/Manufacturer: Iannone Design
Material: Amber bamboo/cork/maple plywood.
70″l x 20″d x 23.5″h

If you’re a fan of typography, you might recognize this sans-serif typeface based on Theo van Doesburg’s orignal designs for an alphabet in 1919. Isn’t it strange how something almost designed a century ago still feels current?

100% Cotton.
Dimensions 72x45cm